Breech-loading ordnance



(No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheet I. H. F. MANN. I BREEGH LOADING ORDNANUB- No. 257,230. Patent] a-y 2,1882.

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H. F. MANN. BREEGH LOADING. ORDNANOE.

No. 257.230; Patented May 2,1882.

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' 6 Sheets-Sheet 3;

(No Model.) P. MANN.

BREEGIELIIQADING' ORDNANGE.

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.H. P.- MANN. BRBL'GH LOADING ORDNANGE.

No. 257,230. Patented May 2,1882.

No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

'H.P.MANI\ BREEGH LOADING ORDNANGE.

Patented May 2, 1882.

(No Model.)

G I I! H. F. MANN.

BREEGH LOADING ORDNANGE.

Patented May 2, 1882.

6 Sheets-Sheet 6.

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nan-:eci-i-moadiue ORDNANCEa srncrrrcA'rrolv formingpart of Letters was No. 257,230,6ated m a, 1882,

' i Application filed March 2, 1882. (No model.)

lo-all whomtt-may concern: y Beitknown that I, HENRY F. MANN, a citizen of the United States, residing atPittsburg, in the county of Allegheny andStateof g-Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Breech-Loading 0rdnance, of which the following is a fuil, clear, vand exactdescription, reference being had'to the accompanying drawings, in whichto Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gun suit able for fortifications, shipboard, &c.,' embodying my invention, the breech being closed, as in position for firing. Fig. 2 is a similar view, the breech being open, as in position for loading. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the gun in position for loading, showing the operative parts. Fig.4 is a similar view, the breech being closed. Fig. 5is a longitudinal horizontal section. vFig. 6 is a rear view of Figs. 1 to 5. 0 Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are views showing a modification of the devices for tilting the barrel for the purpose of loading, and Fig.10 is an enlarged sectional view of .Fig. 8.

Like letters refer to like parts wherever they occur.

The object of the first part of my invention is to so construct and mount breech-loading ordnance that the strain upon the barrel shall be reduced and its enduranceproportionatcly 0 increased; and this i accomplish by disconnecting thebarrel-and breech-block and so mounting the parts upon side'straps pivoted on a carriage that the barrelis subjected only to lateral 'or transverse strain due to the ex- 3 5 pansiveforce of theoharge-and the heat developed, while the longitudinal strain is transrnitted by thebreech-block, cross-head, and breech-screw tothe side straps, said parts hein g aided by the weight or inertia of the barrel.

0 The object'of the second part of my-invention is to facilitate the opening and closing of the breech, so as toe-liable the gun to be fired rapidly;

5 side strapsor breech-block, which is mounted e nombinations which tend to shop enissn and render the same more accurate in and thisl accomplish by pivoting the. barrel upon the side straps and providing the operation, all of which will hereinafter more fully appear. a

1 will now proceed to describe my invention more specifically, so that others skilled in the .art to which it appertains may apply the same.

A. indicates the barrel of the gun, the bore of which extends from end to end and maybe rifled or provided with lands in the usual or any approved manner. The barrel is independentofallconnection with the breech-block, and it will therefore be unsupported thereby, or, as in case of a solid breech, it may, where the nature of the metal demands, be re-enforced against lateral strain by reducing oriturning down the rear endof the barrel and=shrinking bands of wroughtiron or steel thereon, as shown at a, and this is perfectly practicable in 'a gun of the class specified, wherein the barrel is not subjected to longitudinal strain. By

preference the reduction of the barrel is such that the hands a shrunk thereon .will not materially inerease'the' original diameter. The barrel A is provided with suitable trunnions,

a, and is pivoted thereby on side straps, B, either in equilibrium or preponderance, as may be preferred.

B indicates the side straps on which the barrel is pivoted. These side straps are connected at the rear by a cross-head or transom,

0, through which passes the breech-screw 71)..

The inner face of said cross-head is provided with an annular shoulder, c,which enters a cup on the rear of the breech-block, and the breechscrew D is provided with hand-levers, d or equivalent means for operating the same.

Between the rear end of the barrel A and the forward part of the transom or cross-head G is arranged the breech-block E,which block has sufiicieut longitudinal play,when not forced against the barrel by the breech-screw, to perwit the free disengagement of the barrel A and obviate any bad effects from the expansion of the metal or the fouling of the piece. I may here say that it is proposed to use gas checks of any of the several well-known classes, and in such case no trouble from fouling will arise. The rear face of thebreech-block E is provided with an annular cup, 6, for the reception of the, annular shoulder a on the forward part of the liiy the mech i cross-head O,whereby the breech-block is corn 1 tered, and it may be supported and guided,

connected to the trunnions of the gunloy side is pivoted on trnnnions integral with said barrel, the side straps being pivoted en a suitable carriage by separate trunnions, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In breech-loading ordnance of the char acter described, in which the'hreech-block is straps, a rack-formed on the rear face of the barrel, a shaft passing transversely through side straps, a pinion or pinions on said shaft to engage the rack, and a crank for turning the shaft, all constructed and arranged sub stantially as described, for the purpose of opening and closing the barrel.

5. In breech-loading ordnance, the combina tion, with a barrel pivoted on side straps, of a saddle attached to the side straps and a slotted link pivoted on'the barrel and connected with the saddle, substantially as and for the purpose 2o specified port of the rear end of the barrel, abarrel pivoted on the side straps and having a rack attached to or formed on its rear end, a slotted link pivoted on the barrel and connected with the saddle, and a breech-block having piuions mounted on a shaft and let into the breechblock, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7. The combination, with a pivoted barrel having a rack on its rear end, of 'a breech-block having pinions let into it. and mountedon ashaft journaled in the side straps, said shaft having lateral play in the breech-block, a crosshead, and a breech-screw, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof Iaflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY F. MANN.

Witnesses: I

F. W. BITTER, J r., H. B. MOUL'roN. 

